Buckle.



Patented Mar. 6, I900. G. B. ADAMS.

BUCKLE.

(Application filed NOV. 11, 1889.)

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 6, 1900. a. B. ADAMS. 7

B U 0 K L E.

(Application filed Nov. 11, 1899.\

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (No Model.)

WITNESSES:

ATTORN EY UNITED STATES GEORGE B. ADAMS, OF IRVINGTON, NEIV JERSEY.

PATENT Fries.

BUCKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent Ala-644,752, dated March 6,1900.

A li tio fil d November 11,1899. Serial No. 736,662. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that LGEORGE B. ADAMS,a citizen of the United States,residing at Irvington, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Buckles; and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, suchas will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, whichform a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in buckles, and more especially tothat class of buckles capable of application to suspenders and supportsof the Various kinds in which a band or webbing is employed with which agrasping-jaw of the buckle can he broughtin holding arrangement.

The principal object of this invention,there fore, is to provide a neatand simple as well as ornamental buckle construction which is capable ofa quick and easy adjustment to permit of the movement of the buckle onthe band or webbing and is automatic in grasping with the said band orwebbing when brought in its adjusted position on the band or webbing.

With these several ends in view my invention consists in the novelconstruction of buckle hereinafter fully described; and, furthermore,the invention consists in such novel arrangements and combinations ofparts as well as the details of the construction thereof, all of whichwill be set forth in the accompanying specification and finally embodiedin the clauses of the claim.

My invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich,-

Figure 1 is a face view of one form of buckle made according to theprinciples of my invenvention, and Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same,both said views illustrating one form of construction of buckle which isto be employed with the folded or doubled-over lower portion of asuspender band or webbing. Fig. 3 is an edge view of the various partsrepresented in said Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal verticalsection, on an enlarged scale, of the said parts. Fig. 5 is a face Viewof a buckle made according to my invention, but of such a constructionthat it can be employed in connection with a single-ended band orwebbing of a pair of suspenders. Fig. 6 is a rear view of the saidparts, and Fig. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig.Sis a rear view of a buckle of a modified form of construction, butstillembodying theleading features of my invention; and Fig. 9 is a face viewof a blank from which the face-plate of the buckle represented in saidFig. Sis struck up.

Similar letters of reference are employed in all of the saidabove-described views to indicate corresponding parts.

In the said drawings, A indicates the complete buckle, which is composedof a pair of metal plates operatively connected in the mannerhereinafter more fully set forth to provide a space between them for thereception of a flat band or webbing, such as a portion of aSuspender-strap. One of the said plates, as a, which I shall hereinafterterm a face-plate, may be suitably ornamented and is provided with apair of rearwardly-extending lugs a, adapted to embrace the edges 5' ofa Suspender-strap b, said lugs being pro vided with suitable holes orperforations a substantially as shown. The said face-plate CL is alsoprovided with a pair of bent-over portions a forming holding-loops forthe respective ends 0 of a suitably-bentspringwire 0, which is for thepurpose to be herein after more fully set forth. Pivotally connectedwith the said lugs a, by having certain fingers or journals d arrangedin the perforations or holes a of said lugs a, is a grasping or holdingjaw d, which has struck up in its body and then turned inwardlysuitablyformed holding or grasping teeth d provid ing an opening 01 andcross-bar d around which the end I) of the band or webbing b can besecured, as will be fully understood from end of the loop 12 of the bandor webbing is connected the usual eye or ring e, strap 6', and fasteningends e thus providing the usual cast-off E for the Suspender-ends. Thesaid jaw d is also provided at or near the top with a suitable loop 61for the reception of the main body portion or bar 0 of the spring-wirec, hereinabove mentioned. The said portion or 'bar a of said wire 0 isconnected with the end an inspection of Figs. 3 and 4. To the lowerportions 0 by means of the inwardly-tapering arms or parts 0 all of saidparts being bent, substantially as shown in Fig. 4, the arms 0 beingconnected with the arms 0'', preferably by the curved parts 0, and thearms 0 being in turn connected with the body portion 0 preferably by thecurved parts 0 thereby causing that part of the jaw (Z having the loop(1 to be forced outwardly and backwardly in the direction of the arrow50 in Fig. 4, with the grasping-teeth d thereon firmly forced in thedirection of the arrow as in said Fig. 4 to cause the buckle A to besecurely retained in its position on the band or webbing I) whilewearing the suspenders, with the band or webbing held against the innerflat surface of the face-plate, said surface practically forming bearingportions on opposite sides of the pivot connections of said face-plateand holdingjaw.

The arrangement of the teeth (Z is such that the buckle A can he slippedupwardlyin the direction of the arrow 1 on said band or webbing 1)without manipulating any parts of the buckle; but when it is desired toarrange the buckle A in a lower position on the band or webbing b then apressure is exerted by the operator upon the pivotal connection betweenthe loop (Z of the jaw d and the main portion or bar 6 of thespring-wire c in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow 00in said Fig. r. This action will cause the disengagement of the teeth ofthe jaw from their holding engagement with the band or webbing b topermit of a downward movement in direction of arrow y in Fig. 4 of thebuckle A, as will be clearly evident.

In Figs. 5, 6, and 7 I have illustrated my novel construction of buckleslightly modified to enable its use with the single strap end 1) of apair of suspenders. In this construction I dispense with the use of thecross-bar d and opening d in the jaw d of the buckle, and I provide theface-plate a of the same with a spring-hook a or any othersuitably-eonstructed holding means for the attachment thereto of acast-off E. In all respects this form of buckle is similar inconstruction and operation to that form of buckle shown and described inconnection with Figs. 1 to t, inclusive, of the drawings. In lieu ofproviding the face-plate a with the holding port-ions a, forming theloops into which the ends a of the spring-wire c are arranged, suchloops and wire 0 maybe dispensed with and the faceplate a, formed with apair of strips or arms, as a, made integral with the body of saidfaceplate, as indicated in Fig. 9, the said strips or arms being capableof being bent at a toward the holding-loop (Z of the jaw (l and havingthe ends a which are held and secured in said loop (Z substantially asillustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings. In this manner a suitable springconnection is secured between the pivotally-connected face-plate a andthe jaw (Z, and the latter can be actuated to release the holdin gj awthereof from its operative contact with the band or strap 1) by pressureexerted upon the back of said loop (Z in precisely the same manner setforth hereinabove in connection with the description of Figs. 1 to 7,inclusive. In this construction the face-plate a is shown provided witha spring-hook a similar to that indicated in Fig. 5, for the scouringthereto of the ordinary cast-off; but of course it will be understoodthat such hook may be dispensed with and the back plate d made asindicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

From the above description of my invention it will be seen that I haveprovided a simple and operative construction for a buckle which whenarranged in place on a suspender or other strap can be slid upon saidstrap for adjustment thereon in one direction without any manipulationon the part of the operator of the working portions of the buckle, andby means of a simple and slight pressure against the back plate thebuckle can he slid for adjustment in the opposite direction upon thestrap, the spring connection connected with the face-plate and backplate of the buckle causing the grasping or holding jaw of the latter tofirmly engage with the strap to hold said buckle in its adjustedposition when the pressure is removed.

I am fully aware that changes may be made in the various arrangementsand combinations of the several parts comprising my novel constructionof buckle without departing from the scope of my present invention.Hence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements andcombinations of the several parts as herein described and illustrated,nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of suchparts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a buckle, aface-plate and a holding.

or grasping jaw, having a pivotal motionin relation to each other, aclamping or holding means on one side of the fixed axis of rotation ofsaid jaw, and a spring independent of said jaw and said face-plate,having a main body portion loosely but pivotally connected with said jawon the other side of the axis of rotation of said jaw, said springhaving a free end portion in operative engagement with said face plate,providing connections between said face-plate and the jaw, away from thecombined axis of rotation of said plate and jaw, said spring cooperatingwith said jaw to normally force the upper portion of the jaw in adirection away from the back of the faceplate, and normally forcing thelower portion of the jaw in a direction toward the inner surface of saidfaceplate, for holding contact with a webbing or band, substantially asand for the purposes set forth.

2. In a buckle, a face-plate and a holding or grasping jaw, having apivotal motion in relation to each other, a clamping or holding means onone side of the fixed axis of rotation of said jaw, and a springindependent of said jaw and said face-plate, having a main body portionloosely'but pivotally connected with said jaw on the other side of theaxis of rotation of said jaw, said spring having a free end portion inoperative engagement with said face-plate, providing connections betweensaid face-plate and the jaw,'away from the combined axis of rotation ofsaid plate and jaw, said spring cooperating with said jaw to normallyforce the upper portion of the jaw in a direction away from the back ofthe fa ceplate, and normally forcing the lower portion of the jaw in adirection toward the inner surface of said face-plate, for holdingcontact with a webbing or band, and means connected with said buckle forsecuring a cast-off thereto, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

3. In a buckle, a face-plate provided with bearing portions, and aholding or grasping jaw, comprising a body portion pivotally secured tosaid bearing portions of said faceplate, the said body portion lying ina plane back of the plane of the inner surface of the face-plate, aholding means on the body portion of said jaw below the pivotalconnection between said face-plate and jaw, a loop or extension on saidbody portion above the said pivotal connection, a spring independent ofsaid jaw and said face-plate, having a portion loosely and pivotallyconnected with said loop or extension, said spring having anotherportion in operative engagement with said face-plate, providing aconnection between said face-plate and the jaw, away from the combinedaxis of rotation of said plate and jaw, said spring cooperating withsaid faceplate and jaw to normally force the upper portion of the jaw ina direction away from the back of the face-plate, and normally forcingthe lower portion of said jaw in a direction toward the inner surface ofsaid faceplate, for holding contact with a webbing or band,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In a buckle, a face-plate provided with bearing portions, and aholding or grasping jaw, comprising a body portion pivotally secured tosaid bearing portions of said faceplate, the said body portion lying ina plane back of the plane of the inner surface of the face-plate, aholding means on the body portion of said jaw below the pivotalconnection between said face-plate and jaw, a loop or extension on saidbody portion above the said pivotal connection, a spring independent ofsaid jaw and said face-plate, having a portion loosely and pivotallyconnected with said loop or extension, said spring having anotherportion in operative engagement with said face-plate, providing aconnection between said face-plate and the jaw, away from the combinedaxis of rotation of said plate and jaw, said spring cooperating withsaid faceplate and jaw to normally force the upper portion of the jaw ina direction away from the back of the face-plate, and normally forcingthe lower portion of said jaw in a direction toward the inner surface ofsaid faceplate, for holding contact with a webbing or band, and meansconnected with said buckle for securing a cast-off thereto,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a buckle, a face-plate, provided with bearing portions, and aholding or grasping jaw comprising a body portion pivotally secured tosaid bearing portions of said faceplate, said body portion lying in aplane back of the plane of the inner surface of the faceplate, aclamping or holding means on said body portion, below the pivotalconnection and extending toward the face-plate, a centrally-arrangedloop or extension on said body portion, and an independent spring havinga main body portion arranged in said loop or extension cooperatingtherewith to cause a holding contact between said jaw and the innersurface of said face-plate, and said spring having its free end portionsrigidly connected with said face-plate, all of said parts combined andoperating to permit the passage of a band between said jaw andface-plate, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a buckle, a face-plate, provided with bearing portions, and aholding or grasping jaw comprising a body portion pivotally secured tosaid bearing portions of said faceplate, said body portion lying in aplane back of the plane of the inner surface of the faceplate, aclamping or holding means on said body portion, below the pivotalconnection and extending toward the face-plate, a centrally-arrangedloop or extension on said body portion, an independent spring having amain body portion arranged in said loop or extension cooperatingtherewith to cause a holding contact between said jaw and the. innersurface of said face-plate, and said spring having its free end portionsrigidly connected with said face-plate, all of said parts combined andoperating to permit the passage of a band between said jaw andface-plate, and means connected with said buckle for securing a cast-offthereto, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. The herein-described buckle, consisting, essentially, of a face-platea, rearwardly-extending and perforated lugs a on said faceplate, a pairof holding-loops a on said faceplate extending along the side edges ofsaid face-plate, a holding or grasping jaw d pivotally connected withsaid lugs a, graspingteeth d on said back plate, a holding-loop d onsaid jaw, at a right angle to said loops a or approximately so, and aspring 0, having end portions 0 arranged in said loops a a main portion0 pivotally arranged in said loop (Z and connecting parts 0 curvedportions 0 between said end portions 0 and parts 0 and curved portions 0between said parts 0 and said main portion 0 all constructed andarranged for causinga normal holding contact of said jaw 01 with a bandor webbing and by an inward pressure on said loop (1 andspring-connected therewith to separate said jaw from its holding contactwith said band or webbing,substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

8. The herein-described buckle, consisting, essentially, of a face-platea, rearwardly-extending and perforated lugs ct on said faceplate, a pairof holding-loops a on said faceplate, extendingalong the side edges ofsaid face-plate, a holding or grasping jaw d pivotally connected withsaid lugs a, graspingteeth d on said back plate, a holding-loop on saidjaw,-at a right angle to said loops a or approximately so, and a spring0, having end portions 0' arranged in said loops a a main portion 0pivotally arranged in said loop (1 and connecting parts 0 curvedportions 0 between said end portions 0 and parts a and curved portions 0between said parts 0 and said main portion 0 all constructed andarranged for causing a normal holding contact of said jaw d with a bandor webbing and by an inward pressure on said loop at and springconnected therewith to separate said jaw from its holding contact withsaid band or webbing, and a cross-bar on said back plate, for securingthe end of said band or webbing thereto, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

9. In abuckle, in combination, a face-plate, and a holding or graspingjaw pivotally secured to said face-plate, said plate and jaw having anopen space between them for the passage of a band or webbing, a springmade from a continuous piece of wire rigidly connected with saidface-plate and curved in an upward direction and extending inwardly,over the band or webbing, and having a main portion lying in operativespring contact with a portion of said grasping-jaw, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

10. In a buckle,in conibination,a face-plate, and a holding or graspingjaw pivotally secured to said face-plate, said plate and jaw having anopen space between them for the passage of a band or webbing, a loop orextension connected with said jaw, a spring made from a continuous pieceof wire rigidly connected with said face-plate and curved in an upwarddirection and extending inwardly, over the band or webbing, and havingamain portion in operative and pivotal spring contact with said loop orextension on said jaw, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

11. In a buckle, the combination, with a face-plate, havingholding-loops, of a holding-jaw pivotally connected with said faceplate,comprising a body portion, having a laterally-arranged opening, agrasping means extending inwardly toward said face-plate, a cross-barextending in a direction parallel with said grasping means,for fasteningthereto the end of a band or webbing, a loop or extension on saidholding-jaw, and a spring made from a continuous piece of wire rigidlyconnected with said holding-loops on said face-plate, extending upwardlyand inwardly toward said grasping-j aw, and having a main portion inoperative and pivotal spring contact with said loop or extension,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereuntoset my hand this 8th day of November, 1899.

GEORGE l3. ADAMS.

Witnesses:

FREDK. C. FRAENTZEL, HARRY MARTIN.

